Beshear Signs First Bill of 2014 Session Into Law

A bill that will let nurses provide patients certain prescription drugs has become the first measure of the 2014 General Assembly signed into law.

At a ceremony held yesterday in the Capitol’s State Reception Room, Gov. Steve Beshear signed Senate Bill 7, saying the measure complements the state’s expansion of health care under the federal health care law.

“As more people gain access to health care as a result of the Affordable Care Act, this bill is a step in the right direction to begin addressing the current and projected shortfall of primary care physicians in Kentucky,” Beshear said.

Beshear added that the bill will increase access to drugs in some rural parts of the state where doctors are scarce.

“It improves access to high-quality primary care and medications such as antibiotics, anti-hypertension, cholesterol, insulin and diabetes medicines,” he said.

Beshear says the measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Paul Hornback of Shelbyville will increase access by giving nurses more power.

“We’re attacking it on one level with the expansion of health care coverage for all Kentuckians, which gives our citizens the vehicle through which to access needed care," he said. "But on a separate level, we have to make sure that there enough healthcare professional to provide that care.”

Beshear credited Hornback and Rep. Mary Lou Marzian for shepherding the bill through the General Assembly.